Creative activities and opportunities

We'll keep you up to date with creative, inspiring and fun things to watch and take part in from creatives based in Kent and Medway as well as national organisations. 

During the current situation, our priority is to continue providing essential council services, while protecting the health and wellbeing of our residents.

More COVID-19 updates 

Local things to see

Intra Arts run a community arts venue with monthly changing exhibitions on display in their windows gallery.

Featuring a changing programme of exciting contemporary visual art, Rochester Art Gallery holds 4 free exhibitions every year which showcase the work of local, regional and international artists.

Rochester Kino is a film collective dedicated to screening classic and cult films at various venues around Rochester and London, with introductions and post screening discussions.

Local things to do

  • Nucleus Arts has sites in Chatham and Rochester where artists can create and display their work. Open to the public and free to enter, the Nucleus showrooms are a haven for local art lovers
  • Theatre 31, delivered by Icon Theatre, is an imaginative theatre programme with online activities to get involved in for children and young people who live in Medway and on the Isle of Sheppey
  • Animate Arts is a national award-winning arts company working creatively with people of all ages and abilities through high-quality participatory art projects
  • Medway Libraries provide online reading challenges, free digital books and book readings
  • Hulkes Lane Darkroom and Studio in Rochester is a photography space with a darkroom, digital lab, photographic studio and workshop space
  • Lyrici Arts is an organisation creating theatre and arts programmes that amplify black and diverse stories
  • Wordsmithery is an independent literary arts organisation and publisher hosting various projects and events including open mics, interactive literary games and writing workshops
  • Sun Pier House is a creative arts venue offering studio use and a space for generating dialogue and ideas
  • The MESS ROOM is an innovative and accessible community space located on the ground floor at Sun Pier House. It specialises in support for those who are blind or partially sighted, and deaf people or those with hearing loss.
  • Intra Arts run a community arts venue and maker space with a printmaking studio, kilns for glass, craft equipment and many other tools. They also provide welcoming workspaces where creative classes and workshops are held
  • Medway African and Caribbean Association is a non-profit organisation promoting awareness of African and Caribbean Culture through arts, educational and social programmes
  • The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a maritime heritage destination home to museum galleries and a changing programme of exhibitions
  • The Central and Brook Theatres provide you with the chance to enjoy a range of shows and performances throughout the year.

National things to see

Museum resources include:

Free High Fashion documentaries to watch including Dior, Dries and Iris Apfel.

Watch Edinburgh Festival performances online.

Watch quality theatre performances online from home.

More free musicals and plays being streamed by major companies.

National things to do

Grants and funding opportunities

Arts Council England assists and invests in a range of activities across arts and culture.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund provides grants for projects within the heritage sector, as well as offers leadership and support.

Open calls and commissions

Creative opportunity for artists to create a range of outdoor temporary public artworks throughout Strood and Rainham town centres in response to the theme of 'Welcome'.

Closing date: Monday 17 January 2022.

Find out more on how to get involved in the Welcome temporary public art project.